Image forming apparatus with use of a laser beam

Abstract

An image forming apparatus comprising a laser beam radiating unit utilized as a light source, and an optical system that the surface of an original reflects a laser beam radiated from the radiating unit to project a image reflected from the original onto a photosensitive member. In this apparatus, an image is formed selectively in a print mode that an image results from turning on and off the laser beam, in a copy mode that a copy of an original results from exposure of the photosensitive member to the laser beam reflected from the surface of an original or in a composite mode that a composite image is formed of a copy of an original and an image resulting from turning on and off the laser beam. Further, this apparatus comprises a transporting unit for transporting a sheet on which a latent image formed on the photosensitive member is transferred onto the original glass, so that a sheet once discharged from the main body can be reused as an original.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an original glass for supporting an original;   a rotatable photosensitive member;   laser beam radiating means;   optical means for guiding the laser beam radiated from said laser beam radiating means to said original glass and for projecting an image reflected from an original onto said photosensitive member;   scanning means for scanning the reflected image from the surface of an original relatively to said optical means;   control means for turning on and off said laser radiating means to radiate a laser beam in accordance with image data;   means for making a latent image formed on said photosensitive member visible on a paper sheet; and   means for transporting said paper sheet with a visible image onto said original glass.   
     
     
       2. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scanning means is means for conveying an original on said original glass, said conveying means being capable of rotating and located on said original glass. 
     
     
       3. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said laser beam radiating means comprises a radiant element for radiating a laser beam and a scanning device for scanning the laser beam radiated from said radiant element in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction by said scanning means. 
     
     
       4. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means includes a lens array equipped with optical fiber, said lens array being arranged under said original glass. 
     
     
       5. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said optical means further includes a mirror near said lens array, and said mirror reflects the laser beam radiated from said laser beam radiating means so that the reflected light irradiates said original glass. 
     
     
       6. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an original glass for supporting an original;   a rotatable photosensitive member;   laser beam radiating means for irradiating said original glass, said laser beam radiating means including a radiant element for radiating a laser beam and a scanning device for scanning the laser beam in a first direction;   control means for turning on and off said radiant element to radiate the laser beam in accordance with image data;   means for conveying the original on said original glass in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;   optical means for projecting an image reflected from the original onto said photosensitive member;   means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive member into a visible image and for transferring said visible image onto a sheet; and   means for transporting said sheet with the visible image onto said original glass so as to be used as an original.   
     
     
       7. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: a tray for receiving the sheet on which the visible image has been transferred;   a first path through which the sheet is transported onto said tray;   a second path through which the sheet is transported onto said original glass by said transporting means; and   select means for selecting either said first path or said second path.